bass trombones are heavy
G. Tobin
playing a Bach 42B for years. The added weight, and perhaps different
trigger possitions, are killing my left hand. I have pain in my wrist
after playing a 3h gig or practising for long times. I try to put it
down and flex my left hand as much as possible during the sessions, but
the next day it pretty tough for me. I tried supporting the horn with a
rolled towel on my shoulder, but it interferred with the valves.
Has anyone had a similar problems and figured out a fix? Some kind of
shoulder stand or wrist support?
Thanks
Greg
Michael H. Pittsley
news:3E68611E...@x-press.net...
Try this...
http://www.ergobone.com/mainpage.html
Keith Marr
It's worth checking out Doug Yeo's website as he has an article on the
subject (www.yeodoug.com/resources/faq/faq_text/tension.html). If this
doesn't help there are a number of weight support ideas on the market.
Edwards market what they call the bullet brace, which enables you to hook
your hand around it for support
(www.edwards-instruments.com/trombone/bullet.shtml). Gary Greenhoe's rest
bar works in a similar way (www.greenhoe.com/rest_bar.htm). Thein and
laetzsch both produce a support which you can see fitted to their contrabass
trombones on their site (www.thein-brass.de/index_en.php and
www.laetzsch.com/), with this the trombone actually rests on the back of
your wrist. And then there's the ergobone (www.ergobone.com), which I have
tried and find works quite well, although I've still to be convinced that it
isn't too restrictive for reaching down for mutes, inserting and removing
them. With this you have the option of supporting the entire weight of the
trombone independent of your hands, using either a monopod, or a harness.
This is a very common problem which in my view stems from the fact that most
trigger trombones these days have the front bell brace moved back to
accommodate them. At one time it was possible to hook your hand around the
bell brace to operate the trigger. Nowadays most two-valvers have a paddle
for the second valve. There is no ideal general fix, you will need to find
out what works for you.
Hope that helps.
--
Keith in Bb/F/D www.allthingsmusic.co.uk/entertainers/keith.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"Are you still wasting your time with spam?... There is a solution!"
Protected by Yaga Company's SpamHunter 3.2 The most powerful anti-spam
software available. http://www.junkfighter.com/
"G. Tobin" <tob...@x-press.net> wrote in message
news:3E68611E...@x-press.net...
Ray Horton
I've been using an ErgoBone for almost a year and I love it.
Ray Horton
Bass Trombonist, Louisville Orchestra
Yvonne & Norman Rowe
hand fits the instrument. I've been playing an Olds P-24G for over 25 years
and don't have any problems with it. However, I have tried other
instruments (like the Besson double-trigger bass) and found my hand in pain
within 10 minutes. Yvonne's didn't last even that long. She doesn't have
any trouble with the Olds, though, and it's as heavy as the others. I've
played 3-4 hour dance gigs with the Olds and not hurt at all. It seems to
be the way my hand has to hold the instrument, not so much the weight of the
horn. The Olds seems to fit like a glove while others cause it to bend
oddly or stretch too much or some other contortion that causes discomfort.
Norm
"G. Tobin" <tob...@x-press.net> wrote in message
news:3E68611E...@x-press.net...
Robert E. Brown
My repair technician soldered a french horn finger hook on the
handslide brace, just below the receiver. Note that (some) King basses
have a finger ring in this same position.This means I no longer have
that long stretch to hook my first finger OVER the receiver. Solved a
chronic pain problem in my elbow.
Robert E. Brown
G. Tobin
looked at all the references that were posted in response to my query
and have a couple of questions.
1. The ergobone. $200. This seems like the ultimate method for
transfering weight from the wrist to the shoulders via a chest harness
and supporting rod. However, it seems bulky and would make me look like
a bari sax player (not that that's a bad thing!). Unless it really is
the best fix, I'd rather opt for something a little more subtle. Has
anyone tried this harness? Does it restrict your motion? I sometimes
move my horn a lot when playing. I agree with Keith that it looks like
it would get in the way of reaching down for mutes, etc.
2. Edwards bullet brace $100. Adjustable clamp with rod to
re-balance the weight. It's hard to see from the pictures how the
weight is supported elsewhere. Anyone tried this care to explain how it
works?
3. Greenhoe rest bar $100. Looks like a hook that clamps onto the
brace bar. Seems to keep the weight on the wrist.
4. My HS German is a little rusty and the web pages for Latzsch and
Thein don't navigate well. Has anyone tried these fixes?
Thanks Much!
Greg
Keith Marr
> 1. The ergobone. $200. This seems like the ultimate method for
> transfering weight from the wrist to the shoulders via a chest harness
> and supporting rod. However, it seems bulky and would make me look like
> a bari sax player (not that that's a bad thing!). Unless it really is
> the best fix, I'd rather opt for something a little more subtle. Has
> anyone tried this harness? Does it restrict your motion? I sometimes
> move my horn a lot when playing. I agree with Keith that it looks like
> it would get in the way of reaching down for mutes, etc.
>
The monopod option is a non-starter unless you are always seated. As a big
band player I am constantly sitting and standing so the harness is the only
option on this for me. At present I haven't fully tested out the business of
reaching for mutes but will do so and report back soon. For most playing the
harness is an excellent solution although, as you hint in your question, you
do need to get used to looking a bit of a pratt!
No further knowledge of the Edwards or Greenhoe devices.
> 4. My HS German is a little rusty and the web pages for Latzsch and
> Thein don't navigate well. Has anyone tried these fixes?
>
You need to call up a picture of the contrabass trombone on the Latzsch site
to see the rest that I was talking about. for feedback ask Ed Solomon at the
British Trombone Society. He has a Thein rest fitted to his Edwards bass
(webm...@trombone-society.org.uk).
cheers!
kimosabe
The Edwards "bullet" brace clamps to the bell brace between the bell and
slide receiver. It then points down and puts the foam covered rod into the
webbing between thumb and forefinger. It sells for about 100 USD.
One other item you might try. Go to a hardware store, in the rope and line
section - and pick up a 2 inch (50 - 51 mm) diameter brass ring and 2 small
screw-type hose clamps. Put the brass ring on the lower outside of the
slide receiver. Attach 1 hose clamp to the slide receiver and ring - and 1
hose clamp to the bell brace and ring - loosely. Then find a good position
for the ring so it won't interfere with trigger linkage but will also be
able to receive your thumb THROUGH it. You may need to modify the ring by
putting it in a VISE (before attaching of course) and use a hammer to BEND
half of it 15 to 20 degrees inward, towards the slide braces, for hand
comfort. This method costs about 4 USD.
--
K.F. Smith
Jerry Lapham
> Yes, bass trombones are heavy. But I've found that a lot of it is how
> your hand fits the instrument. I've been playing an Olds P-24G for over
> 25 years and don't have any problems with it. However, I have tried
> other instruments (like the Besson double-trigger bass) and found my
> hand in pain within 10 minutes. Yvonne's didn't last even that long.
> She doesn't have any trouble with the Olds, though, and it's as heavy as
> the others. I've played 3-4 hour dance gigs with the Olds and not hurt
> at all. It seems to be the way my hand has to hold the instrument, not
> so much the weight of the horn. The Olds seems to fit like a glove
> while others cause it to bend oddly or stretch too much or some other
> contortion that causes discomfort.
My experience, also.
-Jerry
--
============================================================
Jerry Lapham, Monroe, OH
E-Mail: rjla...@infinet.com
Written Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 06:14 PM (EST)
============================================================
MR/2 Ice tag: "I'm a hod carrier," said Tom laboriously.
Ray Horton
The extra concert set is only for a white chest piece and strap, usually
unnecessary (unless you sit at the front of an ensemble that dresses in
solid white?). I use the chair rod all the time - I only use the chest
harness if I'm standing to play (you don't use the chest harness and
chair/floor rod at the same time). View the little video clips on the
ergobone.com site to see how easy it is.
I think the price is quite reasonable, considering the quality of the design
and product. There is a money-back guarantee.
Raymond Horton
Bass Trombonist, Louisville Orchestra
"G. Tobin" <tob...@x-press.net> wrote in message
news:3E69DAFA...@x-press.net...